World 100-metre record-holder Asafa Powell delighted the National Stadium gathering last night by clocking a world-leading 9.95 seconds to win the Men's 'A' race at the third Jamaica International Invitational Meet.
Second was Marc Burns of Trinidad & Tobago in 10.22 seconds, while Jamaica's Ainsley Waugh took third in 10.31secs.Last night's sterling run by Powell was a very swift response to news that American rival Justin Gatlin had clocked a similar 9.95 secs at a meet in Japan earlier yesterday.
Powell, the 2006 Commonwealth Games champion and world record-holder over the distance with 9.77secs, was fast out of the blocks and had inched ahead by the 50-metre mark.
The champion was determined to put on a good show for the home fans and sped to an easy, yet impressive win.
Powell, despite dipping under 10 seconds for the first time this season, was happy with the win, but disappointed with his time.
"I came to give Jamaica a good performance... it wasn't what I expected because the starter held us up real long and that threw me off," he said.
Bahamian Debbie Ferguson took the women's equivalent in 11.28secs ahead of USA's Muna Lee (11.32) and Jamaica's Commonwealth Games champion Sherri-Ann Brooks (11.37).
The veteran Ferguson was delighted with her victory.
"It was good... I'm glad I was able to compete with the Commonwealth champion and a lot of good athletes... but it doesn't feel the same... with Veronica Campbell, Lauryn Williams and the rest not being there," she said.
"But I'm glad for the win and it still was a good race even though the time was a bit slow," she added.
The men's and women's 400m hurdles were both taken by Americans, with Lashinda Demus (54.20secs) capturing the women's event ahead of Jamaicans Allison Beckford (56.19) and Kaliese Spencer (56.71).
Kerron Clement (48.95secs) won the men's race ahead of the Jamaican duo of Dean Griffith (49.28) and Danny McFarlane (49.35), the 2004 Olympic silver medallist.
Earlier, two records were broken in the high school sprint relays. Holmwood Technical won the girls' 4x100 in 44.49secs to erase their previous mark of 44.58 set last year.
The Camperdown quartet was also in fine form, smashing the previous mark of 40.90secs held by Calabar High. They romped home in 40.41secs to add to their victories at Boys' Champs and the Penn Relays.
Second-placed Kingston College also broke the old record, posting 40.70secs.
Meanwhile, Usain Bolt and Sherone Simpson won the much-anticipated men's and women's 200-metre events. Bolt chased American Tyson Gay to win in 20.10 secs, while Simpson topped compatriot Veronica Campbell to win in a sizzling 22.14secs.
